The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has sued the Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem.
This legal action stems from Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem’s decision to participate in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries.
Mr Dafeamekpor is seeking a court order to prevent Kwaning-Bosompem from contesting in the upcoming parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, January 27.
Mr Dafeamekpor argues that it is unconstitutional for the Controller and Accountant-General to maintain his current position while simultaneously vying for a parliamentary slot.
“A declaration that the Defendant is a civil servant and therefore cannot contest in the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries while holding office as the Controller and Accountant General.”
“A declaration that the Defendant as a civil servant can only contest in a political party’s parliamentary primaries if that civil servant has resigned from his position as a civil servant.”
Additionally, Dafeamekpor is also requesting an interlocutory injunction to restrain Kwaning-Bosompem from representing himself as the Controller and Accountant General while actively pursuing candidacy in the Akim Swedru parliamentary race.
“An Order of Interlocutory injunction restraining the Defendant from holding himself out as the Controller and Accountant General while he still maintains his candidacy to contest in the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries to be held on the 27th day of January 2024.”
The lawsuit highlights the legal complexities surrounding dual roles in public office and political participation.
In recent weeks, some Ghanaians have been urging the Accountant General to step down from his role before entering the primaries.
However, Richard Ahiagbah, the Communications Director of the NPP, has played down the calls for the Accountant General to resign before participating in the party’s parliamentary primaries.
Mr Ahiagbah said that there is currently no explicit rule preventing the Controller and Accountant-General from running for a political office while maintaining his current position.
